Hounslow Council have written an open letter to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to say they want changes made to the current roll out of the ULEZ expansion.

The ULEZ is set to expand to include all of Hounslow borough from 29th August and up until yesterday, Hounslow Council, like all other Labour run councils in London except Harrow, had supported Khan's decision entirely. 

However, Ealing Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat and Deputy Leader Katherine Dunne have written a letter to say that their position has changed after discussions with concerned residents. 

The letter read: "In recent weeks we have heard from constituents who welcome the largest-ever scrappage scheme but do not currently meet the criteria. 

"These include parents who need support to make the switch for their family car, small businesses and organisations which have booked a retrofit, but which may be completed just after the ULEZ expansion date of 29th August 2023, and small businesses are doing the right thing by providing local employment but do not currently meet the scrappage criteria. 

"So, we ask you to consider a review of the current criteria of the scrappage scheme, to look at ways of widening the eligibility to include the following areas: enabling more small businesses to fit the eligibility criteria; reviewing the grace period for drivers who have booked a retrofit for their van; widening the eligibility criteria to provide further support for parents and carers, many of whom work in jobs that keep our capital city going. 

"Your leadership on cleaning up our air has been exemplary, and most welcome. We write in the spirit of knowing that you are doing all you can to support Londoners making the transition to lower polluting vehicles. We look forward to hearing from you." 

The councils of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey had previously been the only councils in open opposition of the expansion, with Harrow being the only Labour councils publicly opposing the decision. 

This open letter was done in collaboration with many other boroughs, including Ealing, to call for changes to the current plan for the expansion and call for a larger grace period and more help for people in becoming compliant.